Pender health director gives positive report on animal shelter

Published: Monday, October 7, 2013 at 9:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 7, 2013 at 9:36 p.m.

Pender County Health Director Carolyn Moser was positive Monday when giving county commissioners her six-month update on the county animal shelter.

Moser said the number of phone calls and emails complaining about the shelter has decreased, and said “maybe that could be a gauge” for measuring progress.

Moser’s last update was in April.

“Since April 15 to where we are (now) at the shelter, it has been quite impressive to say the least,” Moser said. “It was definitely challenging to begin with, but things are falling into place.”

Moser told commissioners the shelter’s advisory board has been meeting, opportunities for public comment have been provided, the security system is complete, a veterinarian is providing “a strong medical program” for animals, including providing examinations, shots, deworming, and tick and flea treatment, and that the shelter now has a spay and neuter program.

“One of the biggest thing is, we have Jewel Horton our shelter manager, who has hit the ground running trying to increase adoptions,” Moser said. “In the last six months we’ve adopted about 500 animals out of our shelter,” Moser said.

A new aspect of the shelter is offering microchips.

“Anybody willing to pay the extra $15 can go ahead and get their animals microchipped.,” she said. “We’re going and registering them online that (same) day because so many individuals will go and get their animals microchipped, but they don’t follow through to fill out the information online.”

Moser said the county finance officer helped her find a way to get a van that will allow the shelter to take animals to adoption fairs in New Hanover County.

“That’s definitely one thing that’s next on our list,” she said.

Moser said staff members are working on the shelter’s social media sites.

In other news, Moser asked commissioners to authorize approval of an e-cigarette clause in the county tobacco use policy, include e-cigarettes in the tobacco use policy for the health department and enforce the county’s policy to prohibit use within 50 feet of government buildings for the sake of public health.

Moser’s request hit a snag as county attorney Trey Thurman raised issue with the request, saying there could be problems with changing the county’s policy because the use of lighted tobacco products is prohibited, but e-cigarettes are not a lighted tobacco product.

Commissioner Chester Ward also expressed concern.

Commissioners voted to table the decision regarding e-cigarettes until a later date.

<p>Pender County Health Director Carolyn Moser was positive Monday when giving county commissioners her six-month update on the county animal shelter. </p><p>Moser said the number of phone calls and emails complaining about the shelter has decreased, and said “maybe that could be a gauge” for measuring progress.</p><p>Moser's last update was in April.</p><p>“Since April 15 to where we are (now) at the shelter, it has been quite impressive to say the least,” Moser said. “It was definitely challenging to begin with, but things are falling into place.”</p><p>Moser told commissioners the shelter's advisory board has been meeting, opportunities for public comment have been provided, the security system is complete, a veterinarian is providing “a strong medical program” for animals, including providing examinations, shots, deworming, and tick and flea treatment, and that the shelter now has a spay and neuter program.</p><p>“One of the biggest thing is, we have Jewel Horton our shelter manager, who has hit the ground running trying to increase adoptions,” Moser said. “In the last six months we've adopted about 500 animals out of our shelter,” Moser said.</p><p>A new aspect of the shelter is offering microchips.</p><p>“Anybody willing to pay the extra $15 can go ahead and get their animals microchipped.,” she said. “We're going and registering them online that (same) day because so many individuals will go and get their animals microchipped, but they don't follow through to fill out the information online.”</p><p>Moser said the county finance officer helped her find a way to get a van that will allow the shelter to take animals to adoption fairs in New Hanover County.</p><p>“That's definitely one thing that's next on our list,” she said. </p><p>Moser said staff members are working on the shelter's social media sites.</p><p>Commissioners authorized moving a temporary part-time animal shelter attendant position to full-time employment on Monday</p><p>In other news, Moser asked commissioners to authorize approval of an e-cigarette clause in the county tobacco use policy, include e-cigarettes in the tobacco use policy for the health department and enforce the county's policy to prohibit use within 50 feet of government buildings for the sake of public health.</p><p>Moser's request hit a snag as county attorney Trey Thurman raised issue with the request, saying there could be problems with changing the county's policy because the use of lighted tobacco products is prohibited, but e-cigarettes are not a lighted tobacco product.</p><p>Commissioner Chester Ward also expressed concern. </p><p>Commissioners voted to table the decision regarding e-cigarettes until a later date.</p><p>Metro Desk: 343-2387</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNewsOnline</p>